Soma Church’s mission is to see the gospel change everything in our neighborhoods, in our city, and in our world. Since 2012, we’ve had the opportunity to see significant change happen in our own neighborhoods and relationships. But God calls us to make disciples of all nations (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20).
At Soma, we answer this call by sending out missionaries and forming partnerships with existing organizations to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
Nicaragua Resource Network (NRN)
Nicaragua Resource Network's mission is to fulfill Jesus’ command to love God and to “love your neighbor as yourself” by giving of our time, talents, and resources to address the spiritual, physical, medical and educational needs of impoverished children and families in Nicaragua. NRN has no paid North American staff is operated entirely by dedicated volunteers.
A few members of Soma began taking mission trips with NRN several years ago and are currently serving in volunteer roles in sponsorship, college sponsorship, communications, and ministry. We have established a partnership with a church in Managua called Betsaida led by Pastor Oscar Cruz and his wife Ariana. The Cruz's are also the administrators at a school called Rey Solomón. Our relationship with Oscar and Ariana will inform our ministry in Nicaragua in vision with NRN.
We go to Nicaragua as learners, seeking to build a long-lasting relationship centered on the hope and faith of what God has done and will do through our partnership with the church of Betsaida and Rey Solomón I primary, secondary, and special needs school. As a church, we have made three key commitments: Spiritual, Financial, and Sending.
Spiritual
Our spiritual commitment is to be in direct relationship with the Pastor and School Administration to understand their needs and desires for their church. In that heart, we will pray for one another and seek to build a lasting relationship that encourages and fosters a long-term relationship that spans many years to come. We are reminded by Romans 1:8-12 that even in physical distance, there are opportunities for friendships, community, prayer, and building up. These relationships are also reflected in Paul’s closing of Romans when he refers to his community by name and by the work that they are doing. There is something special about being aware of the specific work that God is doing far away and the opportunity for our church to step into that.
Financial
As a church, we have committed to a monthly offering of $450. The church supports the Pastor and his family financially. This offering serves as a financial commitment to the ministry and is an opportunity for a church that has more than enough to give to a church that has less than enough. We will also have opportunities for cohorts such as educators or medical professionals to support other ministries within the church and school.
Sending
In addition to these commitments, Soma will offer short-term trips throughout the year that will align with NRN’s values and Pastor Oscar’s needs at that time. These will be great ways for our church to share our time, talents, and gifts that God has given us to serve. While all of our teams will be relationally focused, team focuses like medical, education, construction, college, youth, special needs, and worship will serve to include the vast talents that we have in our body.
If you are interested in joining us on a short-term mission trip, please contact Shelby Mandla.
Student Sponsorship
One of the key ways that we will serve this sister community is through student sponsorship for children who are currently enrolled at Rey Solomón I and for college students that graduated from RS1. Primary or secondary sponsorship is $40/month, special needs is $50/month, and college sponsorship is $75/month.
If you are interested in learning more about sponsorship, please contact Kat Welch.
Missionaries
As a church, we support three people in our church body who are furthering the Kingdom as missionaries.
Kate Camara
Navigators International Student Ministry
Kate grew up as a Christian in Indianapolis, but it wasn’t until her time as an English Teacher abroad in Taiwan where the Gospel came alive to her and she surrendered all aspects of her life to the Lord. That commitment to following Him wherever He calls led her back to Indianapolis and to the Navigator’s International Student Ministry at IUPUI. As ministry staff their goal is to know Christ, to make Him known and to help others do the same, through training, holding events and Bible Studies and discipling international students.
Learn more about Kate or support her ministry below!
Lauren McDonough
Greek InterVarsity Regional Coordinator
Lauren McDonough is the Regional Coordinator for Greek InterVarsity in Indiana & Illinois. In her role, she oversees InterVarsity's fraternity and sorority ministry on campuses throughout Indiana and Illinois - helping to reach fraternity and sorority students with the good news of Jesus. This includes leading a team of campus staff who serve directly on campuses throughout the region, working to develop student leaders and hire new staff, helping to build ministry on campus, and serving on Greek InterVarsity's national leadership team.
To support Lauren's ministry, click below!
Allison Reed
Cru Sending Coordinator & Intern Coordinator
Allison Reed is the Sending Coordinator & Intern Coordinator for Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania. In her role, she helps to send new staff and interns every year out to their local college campus to reach people for Christ, by overseeing the evaluation of new applicants and hiring, and by caring and overseeing the internship program. It is exciting to her to see how God uses these staff and interns to reach students with the gospel, and the whole process would not be possible if it were not for the structure of the resource center she works at in Indianapolis. This position allows her to be a leaf on the twig, on the branch, on the vine of what God is doing in the hearts and lives of college students on dozens of campuses.
Brooke Zentz
Cru College Ministry
Cru played a crucial part in my walk with the Lord through my years as a student at Ball State. I see the great need college students have for God. Therefore, I see it as an immense blessing that he allows me to be even a small part of introducing students to himself and helping those that already know him to grow in discipleship. I love college students and the ministry I get to do with them. As we reach the campuses of Indianapolis today we are taking steps toward reaching the world tomorrow.
Thank you all for the opportunity to take part in that and I pray that you would see this opportunity for yourselves as well. As you support me, financially and/or in prayer, you are taking part in fulfilling the Great Commission.
Get Involved with Global Missions
Want to get involved with what God is doing across the globe? Have questions about ways to best support our global missionaries? Fill out the form below: